Dia de Los Muertos, otherwise known as Day of the Dead in English, is a holiday that is largely celebrated in Mexico and other Latin-American countries on November 1st and November 2nd. Many know what Dia de Los Muertos is due to the beautiful decorations used during the holiday. Sugar skulls are a huge part of this celebration and many people use sugar skulls as inspiration for makeup during Halloween. I know the sugar skull makeup is beautiful and I have no issue with people using it. What I do have an issue with is when people who don’t appreciate or know about this celebration use the makeup for the aesthetics. Dia de Los Muertos is more than just a costume. It is also important to note that there is a difference between Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos. Many assume that Dia de Los Muertos is simply “Mexican Halloween” but this is not the case.
Dia de Los Muertos is a celebration of life and joy. According to National Geographic, “Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead disrespectful.” Dia de Los Muertos emphasizes that people who have passed have not truly died if their memory is kept alive. This is where the ofrendas (altars) are used. Ofrendas are used to commemorate and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. On the ofrenda, people include sugar skulls, candles to light the path for their loved ones, pictures, papel picado, and items that their loved one enjoyed. Ofrendas are used as a way to welcome back the spirits of those who have passed. A great movie that shows what Dia de Los Muertos is about is Coco. It made me really happy to see how many people watched and enjoyed this movie.
Many who do the sugar skull makeup do not truly understand the importance and the meaning behind this special celebration. I am Mexican and I can say for myself that I love when others learn about my culture. I just want people to know the meaning and history behind it before taking a piece of someone else’s culture and using it. Dia de Los Muertos is a beautiful way of celebrating life and joy instead of being sad over the passing of a loved one. Personally, this will be my first year making an ofrenda for my deceased Dad and I am super excited. This celebration of life helps you feel closer to your loved ones and reminds you that they are not truly gone if they are not forgotten. I truly believe that on Dia de Los Muertos the souls of all those who have passed are given the opportunity to come back and visit their loved ones.
I hope that many more people become open to learning about this beautiful celebration in the Mexican and Latinx communities.